Shifting ahead persistently together with your health objectives at instances requires backing off boozy brunches or after-work alcohol indulgences. Julious Grant, founder of Omage brandy, is personally conscious of the balancing act between staying match and having fun with life now and again.
Earlier than turning into one of many main wine and spirits experts in the US, Grant was a guard at Bethune Cookman College within the late ‘80s, the place he averaged practically 12 factors a recreation his senior season.
To today, Grant, nonetheless bodily lively and watches his caloric intake, however Grant says that you could nonetheless benefit from the occasional highball — or straight up — with out at all times having to go fully excessive and dry in the case of alcohol.
In the case of brandy, he says that it’s finest sipped after both a superb dinner or simply kicking again and having fun with a night chill. He provides that what additionally makes brandy sipping expertise pleasant, along with appreciating its fruity aromas, is discovering a perfect meals to pair it with. Oftentimes brandy serves as the right dessert complement, however generally Grant says you don’t should go decadent, particularly if you happen to’re watching your energy.
“I’ve by no means been one to over-consume as a result of I get nice pleasure from tasting, sipping and discovering superb pairings between my meals and beverage,” he says.
Why drink brandy?
Brandy is a distilled spirit constructed from fermented fruit juice. It’s carefully associated however differs from Cognac as a result of latter being constructed from grapes within the Cognac area of France.
There are a number of the way to drink brandy. One is consuming it “neat” — straight up at room temperature — which is among the classier methods of indulging a superb brandy. Or you’ll be able to combine it to make a brandy bitter (lemon juice, easy syrup, and maraschino cherry) or a highball (ginger ale and lemon twist).
As a result of it’s each low-carb and low ldl cholesterol, brandy straight up is among the more healthy alcohol choices on the market. It accommodates a number of anti-aging antioxidants, and likewise a sip or two at night time may even have help in sleep (a number of sips, not glasses).
Omage founder says that is the easiest way to take pleasure in brandy
Based on Grant, Omage separates itself from different brandies and cognacs in that it’s all-natural — which means no added sugar or synthetic colours. Made in California, any of the model’s three signature brandies — VS, VSOP and XO — is aged wherever from two to 6 years.
Due to the method time, Grant says it’s finest to drink brandy sluggish and chill. Often known as a dessert drink, brandy goes effectively with wealthy meals such chocolate mousse and cheese to call a number of. However generally decadent indulgences aren’t the one possibility.
“Generally after dinner, once I don’t wish to eat dessert, I’ll sip Omage over rocks with a slice of orange,” he says. “The pure vanilla and citrus flavors in OMAGE are enhanced and it’s satisfying and refreshing.”
So what works finest? Grant says a novel solution to benefit from the fruity flavors brandy gives is to pair it with path combine — together with coronary heart wholesome nuts and quite a lot of dried fruits. Like brandy, nuts reminiscent of pistachios and walnuts are a excessive in antioxidants, protein and fiber and are helpful for coronary heart well being. Like a superb brandy, moderation is at all times the important thing with nuts as they’re excessive in energy.
“After I simply want one thing to snack on both simply earlier than dinner or after, I flip to nuts — almonds and pistachios, specifically — and blend them with raisins or dried cranberries,” Grant says. “I sip my Omage straight up and the pairing with the nuts and dried fruits just isn’t solely scrumptious however immensely pleasant.”
